Modular storage system

ABSTRACT

A storage system is provided with a first modular closet storage assembly packaged separately. The first modular closet storage assembly includes a pair of upright side supports to be supported upon an underlying support surface. A first plurality of horizontal cross members interconnects the pair of upright side supports. A second modular closet storage assembly is packaged separately. The second modular closet storage assembly includes only one upright side support to be supported upon the underlying support surface. A second plurality of horizontal cross members interconnects the only one upright side support to at least one of the pair of upright side supports of the first modular closet storage assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser.No. 62/906,154 filed Sep. 26, 2019, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments relate to modular storage systems.

BACKGROUND

The prior art has provided modular storage systems to permit a customerto purchase kitted assemblies to be assembled as a customized storagesystem.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a storage system is provided with a firstmodular closet storage assembly packaged separately. The first modularcloset storage assembly includes a pair of upright side supports to besupported upon an underlying support surface. A first plurality ofhorizontal cross members interconnects the pair of upright sidesupports. A second modular closet storage assembly is packagedseparately. The second modular closet storage assembly includes only oneupright side support to be supported upon the underlying supportsurface. A second plurality of horizontal cross members interconnectsthe only one upright side support to at least one of the pair of uprightside supports of the first modular closet storage assembly.

According to a further embodiment, a first shelf is supported by thepair of upright side supports and the first plurality of horizontalcross members. A second shelf is supported by one of the pair of uprightside supports, the only one upright side support of the second modularcloset storage assembly, and the second plurality of horizontal crossmembers.

According to another further embodiment, each of the upright sidesupports is further defined as an upright side support assembly with apair of elongate vertical rails, each with elongate grooves formed alonga length, and a series of incrementally spaced apart slots formed withinthe grooves. At least one horizontal rail interconnects the pair ofelongate vertical rails.

According to an even further embodiment, a plurality of connectors isprovided, each at a terminal end of one of the first plurality ofhorizontal cross members or one of the second plurality of horizontalcross members and sized to be inserted into one of the elongate groovesin one of the pair of elongate vertical rails. A plurality of fastenersfastens the plurality of connectors to the pair of elongate verticalrails.

According to another further embodiment, each of the pair of elongatevertical rails and the at least one horizontal rail are hollow withmitered ends. A plurality of corner connectors is each sized to bereceived in an end of the at least one horizontal rail and an end of oneof the pair of elongate vertical rails to interconnect the at least onehorizontal rail to the pair of elongate vertical rails.

According to an even further embodiment, a plurality of levelers is eachfastened to one of the plurality of corner connectors.

According to another embodiment, a method for retailing a closet storagesystem provides a first modular closet storage assembly with a pair ofupright side supports, and a first plurality of horizontal cross membersin a first package. A second modular closet storage assembly with onlyone upright side support, and a second plurality of horizontal crossmembers is provided in a second package.

According to another embodiment, a storage assembly is provided with aplurality of upright rails. A pair of horizontal cross membersinterconnects the plurality of upright rails. At least one shelf isprovided, and a pair of connectors is mounted to the at least one shelfso that the at least one shelf can translate relative to the pair ofhorizontal cross members during installation and fasten to the pair ofhorizontal cross members.

According to a further embodiment, a pair of channels are formed in theshelf, each sized to receive one of the pair of connectors.

According to an even further embodiment, a first pair of retainers, iseach oriented in one of the pair of channels to receive and retain oneof the pair of connectors.

According to another even further embodiment, a second pair ofretainers, is each oriented in one of the pair of channels to receiveand retain one of the pair of connectors.

According to another even further embodiment, the second pair ofretainers are each deformable for manual release of the second pair ofretainers.

According to another embodiment, a storage assembly is provided with aplurality of upright rails to be supported upon an underlying supportsurface adjacent to an upright support surface. A pair of horizontalcross members interconnects the plurality of upright rails. A pair ofbrackets is connected for translation upon the pair of horizontal crossmembers to attach the pair of brackets to the upright support surface.

According to a further embodiment, the pair of brackets are connected toa rear horizontal cross member of the pair of horizontal cross members.

According to an even further embodiment, a series of slots are formedinto the rear horizontal cross member to receive the pair of brackets atvarious orientations along the rear horizontal cross member.

According to another even further embodiment, each of the pair ofbrackets has a widened aperture formed therethrough to receive afastener to attach the pair of brackets to the upright support surface.A width of the widened apertures in combination with a spacing of theseries of slots permits alignment of the pair of brackets andinstallation of the fasteners at a majority of a length of the rearhorizontal cross member.

According to another further embodiment, a pair of decorative fascias,is each sized to be supported upon one of the pair of horizontal crossmembers to conceal a front portion of the pair of horizontal crossmembers and the pair of brackets.

According to another embodiment, a storage assembly is provided with aplurality of upright rails. A plurality of horizontal cross membersinterconnects the plurality of upright rails. A plurality of decorativefascias, is each sized to be supported upon one of the plurality ofhorizontal cross members.

According to a further embodiment, the plurality of decorative fasciasare extruded from a polymeric material.

According to another further embodiment, the plurality of decorativefascias are sized to provide an interference fit upon the plurality ofhorizontal cross members.

According to another embodiment, a storage assembly is provided with aplurality of upright rails, each with elongate grooves formed along alength, and a series of incrementally spaced apart slots formed withinthe grooves. A plurality of drawer rails, each with hooks sized to bereceived within the series of slots, attach to the plurality of uprightrails at various height orientations along the plurality of uprightrails. A drawer assembly is connected the plurality of drawer rails totranslate relative to the plurality of upright rails.

According to another embodiment, a storage assembly is provided with aplurality of upright rails. A plurality of horizontal cross membersinterconnects the plurality of upright rails at various heights alongthe plurality of upright rails. A pair of brackets is provided with apair of fastener patterns to be fastened to the plurality of horizontalcross members at two different locations. A clothing rod is attachableto the pair of brackets.

According to a further embodiment, one of the pair of fastener patternsis formed axially in a proximal end of the corresponding bracket, andthe other fastener pattern is formed laterally through the correspondingbracket. A receptacle is provided on a distal end of the correspondingbracket, sized to receive one end of the clothing rod.

According to another embodiment, a storage assembly is provided with aplurality of upright rails. A plurality of horizontal railsinterconnects the plurality of upright rails at a distal top end of theplurality of upright rails. A plurality of horizontal cross membersinterconnects the plurality of upright rails at various heights alongthe plurality of upright rails. A pair of brackets are adapted to befastened to the plurality of horizontal rails or the plurality ofhorizontal cross members. A clothing rod is attachable to the pair ofbrackets.

According to a further embodiment, each of the plurality of horizontalrails is provided with a vertically oriented fastener pattern. Each ofthe plurality of horizontal cross members is provided with ahorizontally oriented fastener pattern.

According to an even further embodiment, a vertical fastener pattern isformed axially in a proximal end of each bracket to fasten to thevertically oriented fastener pattern of the plurality of horizontalrails. A horizontal fastener pattern is formed laterally through eachbracket to fasten to the horizontally oriented fastener pattern of theplurality of horizontal cross members. A receptacle is provided on adistal end of the bracket, sized to receive one end of the clothing rod.

According to another embodiment, a storage assembly is provided with aplurality of upright rails. A plurality of horizontal cross membersinterconnects the plurality of upright rails at various heights alongthe plurality of upright rails. A pair of brackets is attachable to theplurality of horizontal cross members to extend from the correspondinghorizontal cross member, with a receptacle provided on a distal end ofeach bracket, and a post extending from within each receptacle. Aclothing rod is sized to be received within the receptacles of the pairof brackets, with a groove formed lengthwise in the clothing rod toengage the post for alignment of the clothing rod.

According to a further embodiment, engagement of the posts of the pairof brackets with the clothing rod limits rotation of the clothing rod.

According to another further embodiment, the posts of the pair ofbrackets are sized with an interference fit within the groove to fastenthe clothing rod to the pair of brackets.

According to another embodiment a storage system is provided with afirst modular closet storage assembly packaged separately. The firstmodular closet storage assembly is provided with a pair of upright sidesupports to be supported upon an underlying support surface, each with aplurality of upright rails, each with elongate grooves formed along alength, and a series of incrementally spaced apart slots formed withinthe grooves. A first plurality of horizontal cross members interconnectsthe pair of upright side supports. A second modular closet storageassembly is packaged separately. The second modular closet storageassembly provides only one upright side support to be supported upon theunderlying support surface, with a plurality of upright rails, each withelongate grooves formed along a length, and a series of incrementallyspaced apart slots formed within the grooves. A second plurality ofhorizontal cross members interconnects the only one upright side supportto at least one of the pair of upright side supports of the firstmodular closet storage assembly. A first shelf with a first pair ofchannels formed therein, is supported by the pair of upright sidesupports and the first plurality of horizontal cross members. A secondshelf with a second pair of channels formed therein, is supported by oneof the pair of upright side supports, the only one upright side supportof the second modular closet storage assembly, and the second pluralityof horizontal cross members. A first pair of connectors is mounted tothe first plurality of horizontal cross members to be received in thefirst pair of channels during installation. A second pair of connectorsis mounted to the second plurality of horizontal cross members to bereceived in the second pair of channels during installation. A firstpair of retainers is each oriented in the first pair of channels toreceive and retain the first pair of connectors. A second pair ofretainers is each oriented in the second pair of channels to receive andretain the second pair of connectors. A pair of brackets is connectedfor translation upon a rear horizontal cross member of the firstplurality of horizontal cross members or the second plurality ofhorizontal cross members, to attach the pair of brackets to an uprightsupport surface. A plurality of decorative fascias, is each sized to besupported upon one of the first plurality of horizontal cross members orsecond plurality of horizontal cross members. A plurality of drawerrails, each with hooks sized to be received within the series of slotsattaches to the plurality of upright rails at various heightorientations along the plurality of upright rails. A drawer assembly isconnected to the plurality of drawer rails to translate relative to theplurality of upright rails. A pair of clothing rod brackets with a pairof fastener patterns is fastened to the plurality of horizontal crossmembers at two different locations, with a receptacle provided on adistal end of each bracket, and a post extending from within eachreceptacle. A clothing rod is sized to be received within thereceptacles of the pair of clothing rod brackets, with a groove formedlengthwise in the rod to engage the post for alignment of the clothingrod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a modular storage system accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of a modular storageassembly according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a partial side elevation view of a rail of the modular storageassembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a corner connector of themodular storage assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an exploded rear perspective view of a portion of the modularstorage assembly of FIG. 2 illustrating an assembly step according to anembodiment;

FIG. 6 is an exploded rear perspective view of a portion of the modularstorage assembly of FIG. 2 illustrating another assembly step;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the modular storage assembly ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the modular storage assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a portion of the modular storageassembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is an exploded front perspective view of a portion of themodular storage assembly of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment,illustrating another assembly step;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a portion of the modular storageassembly of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment, illustrating anotherassembly step;

FIG. 12 is an exploded front perspective view of a portion of themodular storage assembly of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment,illustrating another assembly step;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a portion of the modular storageassembly of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment, illustrating anotherassembly step;

FIG. 14 is an exploded front perspective view of a portion of themodular storage assembly of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment,illustrating another assembly step;

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of a portion of the modular storageassembly of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment, illustrating anotherassembly step;

FIG. 16 is an exploded front perspective view of a portion of themodular storage assembly of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment,illustrating another assembly step;

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a portion of the modular storageassembly of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment, illustrating anotherassembly step;

FIG. 18 is bottom perspective view of a shelf assembly according to anembodiment;

FIG. 19 is a section view of the shelf assembly of FIG. 18 taken alongsection line 19-19;

FIG. 20 is an exploded front perspective view of a portion of themodular storage assembly of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment,illustrating another assembly step;

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of a portion of the modular storageassembly of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment, illustrating anotherassembly step;

FIG. 22 is an exploded front perspective view of a portion of themodular storage assembly of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment,illustrating another assembly step;

FIG. 23 is an exploded front perspective view of a portion of themodular storage assembly of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment,illustrating another assembly step;

FIG. 24 is an exploded front perspective view of a portion of themodular storage assembly of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment,illustrating another assembly step;

FIG. 25 is an exploded front perspective view of a portion of themodular storage assembly of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment,illustrating another assembly step;

FIG. 26 is an exploded front perspective view of a portion of themodular storage assembly of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment,illustrating another assembly step;

FIG. 27 is a front perspective view of a portion of the modular storageassembly of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment, illustrating anotherassembly step;

FIG. 28 is an exploded front perspective view of a portion of themodular storage assembly of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment,illustrating another assembly step;

FIG. 29 is a front elevation view of a modular storage system accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a front elevation view of a modular storage system accordingto another embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a front elevation view of a modular storage system accordingto another embodiment;

FIG. 32 is a front elevation view of a modular storage system accordingto another embodiment; and

FIG. 33 is a front elevation view of a modular storage system accordingto another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousand alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particularcomponents. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

Closet storage systems incur significant shipping expenses when shippedassembled. A significant cost-savings is provided to the end user bypackaging a closet storage system disassembled. A disassembled closetstorage system can be packaged relatively compact, which is oftenreferred to as a flat-pack assembly, such as a flat-pack drawerassembly.

Closet storage furniture is often limited in flexibility. Conversely,modular closet storage systems are often difficult to assemble, and arelimited in structural capabilities.

FIG. 1 illustrates a modular closet storage system 40 according to anembodiment. The storage system 40 is depicted as a singular unit with aframe and various accessories. The modular closet storage system 40 isrepeatable, modular and adjustable to provide various sizes,arrangements and configurations to the end user.

FIG. 2 illustrates a modular storage assembly 42 of the modular storagesystem 40 with many of the accessories removed. The modular storageassembly 42 provides a frame for one unit of the modular storage system40. The modular storage assembly 42 includes a pair of upright sidesupport assemblies 44 to be supported upon an underlying supportsurface, such as a floor. Each of the pair of upright side supportassemblies 44 includes a pair of elongate vertical rails 46. Thevertical rails 46 may each be formed from a hollow aluminum extrusion.The vertical rails 46 may also each be identical for interchangeability,and simplification of the assembly process.

As illustrate in FIG. 3, the vertical rails 46 are also each formed withgrooves 48 with a series of incrementally spaced apart slots 49 formedwithin the grooves 48 for mounting hardware at various locations.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the side support assemblies 44 also include apair of shorter horizontal rails 50. The horizontal rails are alsoformed from extruded aluminum with a similar profile to the verticalrails 46. The horizontal rails 50 are each interchangeable for ease inassembly. The vertical rails 46 and the horizontal rails 50 are miteredto be assembled together.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, the side support assemblies 44 alsoinclude a plurality of corner connectors 52 that are sized to beinserted into the hollow mitered ends of the vertical rails 46 and thehorizontal rails 50 to interconnect the side support assemblies 44. Thecorner connectors 52 may be formed from a polymeric material, such asnylon. A plurality of fasteners may also be provided to fasten thecorner connectors 52 into each of the rails 46, 50.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the side support assemblies 44 each include aplurality of levelers 54 to contact the underlying support surface to bemanually adjusted to level the modular storage assembly 42. The levelers54 may fasten directly into the corner connectors 52.

The modular storage assembly 42 includes a plurality of horizontalcrossbars interconnecting the side support assemblies 44, which areprovided by a top front crossbar 56, a top rear crossbar 58, and a lowercrossbar 60. The modular storage assembly 42 also includes a top shelf62, which is supported by the pairs of side support assemblies 44 andthe top crossbars 56, 58. The modular storage assembly 42 is a primarystorage assembly 42 that is packaged separately for providing closetstorage or a unit of closet storage.

The modular storage system 40 also includes secondary modular storageassemblies 64 that are packaged separately than the primary storageassembly 42. The secondary modular storage assembly 64 is provided as akit that is similar to the primary storage assembly 42. The secondarymodular storage assembly 64 includes only one side support assembly 44,and the crossbars 56, 58, 60 and the shelf 62. Only one side supportassembly 44 is provided in the secondary storage assembly 64, becausethe secondary storage assembly 64 is assembled to the primary storageassembly 42. The modular storage system 40 is repeatable in that the enduser purchases one prepackaged kit for the primary storage assembly 42and then a prepackaged secondary storage assembly 64 for each successiveunit with the system 40. The system 40 avoids the redundancies of havingextra side support assemblies 44 between adjacent units.

FIG. 5 illustrates the assembly of the upper crossbars 56, 58 to theside support assemblies 44. Each of the crossbars 56, 58, 60 includeconnectors 66 at the terminal ends to be inserted into the grooves 48 ofthe vertical rails 46 of the side support assemblies 44. FIG. 6illustrates that a plurality of screws 68 are fasten the connectors 66to the side support assemblies 44. Referring again to FIG. 3, thevertical rails 46 are provided with apertures 69 predrilled in thegrooves 48 to receive the screws 68. According to one embodiment, theapertures 69 are through holes, and in an alternative, the apertures 69may be internally threaded.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the corner connectors 52 may also havepreformed apertures 71 to receive the screws 68. According to thedepicted embodiment, the corner connectors 52 are provided withinternally threaded nuts 73 installed into the apertures 71. Withreference to FIG. 6, the screws 68 are installed into threadedengagement with the nuts 73 to fasten the crossbars 56, 58, 60 to theside support assemblies 44.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the modular storage assembly 42 assembled.After the crossbars 56, 58, 60 are fastened to the side supportassemblies 44, the top shelf 62 is installed to the top crossbars 56, 58and the side support assemblies 44.

The modular storage assembly 42 is supported directly upon the floor toavoid distributing all of the applicable loading to a wall. The modularstorage assembly 42 is a closet storage assembly 42 and therefore, isconveniently installable adjacent to a wall within the closet.

FIG. 9 illustrates that each upper rear crossbar 58 is provided with apair of brackets 70 that are mounted for translation along the crossbar58. The brackets 70 may lock into one of a series of slots 72 formedalong the crossbar 58 to limit the translation of the brackets 70. Thebrackets 70 each have a widened fastener aperture 74 for attachment tothe wall. The width of the fastener apertures 74 in combination with thespacing of the slots 72 permit the brackets 70 to align and receive afastener to the wall at any location upon the wall. This flexibilitypermits the installer to align the fastener apertures 74 of the brackets70 with studs, drywall anchors or the like, while also avoiding anyobstacles on or in the wall.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, a decorative fascia 76 is providedthat can be manually installed upon the upper front crossbar 56. Thefascia 76 is extruded from a polymeric material and is placed upon thetop of the upper front crossbar 56. The lower end of the fascia 76 ispivoted into engagement with a lower end of the upper front crossbar 56and is fastened to the crossbar 56 with an interference fit. The fascia76 covers the hardware associated with the crossbar 56 to provide astreamlined and unobfuscated ornamental appearance of the upper frontcrossbar 56 and consequently the modular storage assembly 42.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate another decorative fascia 78 that is manuallyinstalled upon the upper rear crossbar 58 and the brackets 70. Thefascia 78 is extruded from a polymeric material and is placed upon thetop of the upper rear crossbar 58 and the brackets 70. The lower end ofthe fascia 78 is pivoted into engagement with a lower end of the upperrear crossbar 58 and is fastened to the crossbar 58 with an interferencefit.

The modular storage assembly 42 is configured to receive and supportvarious closet accessories at various orientations. The accessories canbe prepackaged in separate kits so that the end customer can select andmodify the modular storage system 40.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a pair of shelf brackets 80 duringinstallation to the modular storage assembly 42. Each shelf bracket 80includes hooks 82 that are inserted through the grooves 48 and into theslots 49 of the side support assemblies 44 to support the shelf bracket80. Once the hooks 82 are inserted in the slots 49, the shelf bracket 80is pivoted downward as illustrated in FIG. 15. The shelf brackets 80include a connector 84 for connecting to a shelf assembly 86. Theconnectors 84 are each formed as a bent metal portion extending awayfrom the bracket 80, upward, and then further away from the bracket 80.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate a method for assembling the shelf assembly 86to the shelf brackets 80. In FIG. 16, the shelf assembly 86 is placedupon the shelf brackets 80 to receive a pair of the shelf connectors 84.Then, the shelf assembly 86 is slid forward, thereby fastening the shelfassembly 86 to the shelf brackets 80.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate the shelf assembly 86 in greater detail. Theshelf assembly 86 includes a shelf body 88 formed from wood, a woodcomposite, a polymer, or the like. A pair of channels 90 are formed inthe shelf body 88 spaced apart to align with the shelf connectors 84 ofthe shelf brackets 80. A first shelf retainer 92 is provided in eachchannel 90. A second shelf retainer 94 is provided at another end ofeach channel 90. During installation of the shelf assembly 86, theconnectors 84 are received in the channels 90 between the retainers 92,94. As the shelf assembly 86 is translated into the modular storageassembly 42, the first pair of shelf retainers 92 connect to the rearpair of shelf connectors 84. Likewise, the second pair of shelfretainers 94 engage a forward pair of the shelf connectors 84, therebyfastening the shelf assembly 86 to the shelf brackets 80 with requiringadditional tools. The second pair of shelf retainers 94 are deformableand can be manually released to disassemble or modify the modularstorage system 40.

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate drawer brackets 96 installed into the sidesupport assemblies 44. The drawer brackets 96 include hooks 98 that areinserted into the slots 49 in the grooves 48 of the side supportassemblies 44. Referring now to FIG. 1, a drawer 100 is assembled to thedrawer brackets 96 for translation relative to the modular storageassembly 42.

FIG. 22 illustrates one of a pair of clothing rod brackets 102 installedto apertures 104 in the horizontal rails 50 of the side supportassemblies 44 with screws 106. FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate theinstallation of a clothing rod 108 upon the clothing rod brackets 102.The clothing rod brackets 102 each include a receptacle 110 to receive aterminal end of the clothing rod 108. A post 112 extends up from eachreceptacle 110. A groove 114 is formed along the length of the clothingrod 108 to engage the post 112. During assembly, the clothing rod 108 isplaced into the receptacles 110 of the clothing rod brackets 102 withthe groove 114 in alignment with the posts 112. The cooperation of thepost 112 in the groove 114 limits rotation of the clothing rod 108, andprovide an interference fit to fasten the clothing rod 108 to theclothing rod brackets 102.

FIG. 25 illustrates that the clothing rod brackets 102 can also beassembled to the shelf brackets 80. The shelf brackets 80 are modularand can be utilized to also support the clothing rod brackets 102.Apertures 116 are provided in the shelf brackets 80 so that the clothingrod brackets 102 can be fastened to the shelf brackets 80 with screws118. FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate assembling the shelf brackets 80 withthe clothing rod brackets 102 to the side support members 44. The shelfsupport brackets 80 can be installed at any user-selected height for theclothing rod 108. FIG. 28 illustrates the installation of the clothingrod 108 to the clothing rod brackets 102.

FIGS. 29-33 illustrate some examples of the modular closet storagesystem 40, each with one primary modular storage assembly 42 and one ormore secondary modular storage assemblies 64 to build the modular closetstorage system 40 to the preferences of the user. Each of the examples40 in FIGS. 29-33 also illustrate examples of the modularity incombination with many of the accessories depicted in the variousembodiments.

While various embodiments are described above, it is not intended thatthese embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather,the words used in the specification are words of description rather thanlimitation, and it is understood that various changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may becombined to form further embodiments of the invention.

1. A storage system comprising: a first modular closet storage assemblypackaged separately, the first modular closet storage assemblycomprising: a pair of upright side supports to be supported upon anunderlying support surface, and a first plurality of horizontal crossmembers to interconnect the pair of upright side supports; and a secondmodular closet storage assembly packaged separately, the second modularcloset storage assembly comprising: only one upright side support to besupported upon the underlying support surface, and a second plurality ofhorizontal cross members to interconnect the only one upright sidesupport to at least one of the pair of upright side supports of thefirst modular closet storage assembly.
 2. The storage system of claim 1further comprising; a first shelf supported by the pair of upright sidesupports and the first plurality of horizontal cross members; and asecond shelf supported by one of the pair of upright side supports, theonly one upright side support of the second modular closet storageassembly, and the second plurality of horizontal cross members.
 3. Thestorage system of claim 1 wherein each of the upright side supports isfurther defined as an upright side support assembly comprising: a pairof elongate vertical rails, each with elongate grooves formed along alength, and a series of incrementally spaced apart slots formed withinthe grooves; and at least one horizontal rail interconnecting the pairof elongate vertical rails.
 4. The storage system of claim 3 furthercomprising: a plurality of connectors, each at a terminal end of one ofthe first plurality of horizontal cross members or one of the secondplurality of horizontal cross members and sized to be inserted into oneof the elongate grooves in one of the pair of elongate vertical rails;and a plurality of fasteners to fasten the plurality of connectors tothe pair of elongate vertical rails.
 5. The storage system of claim 3wherein each of the pair of elongate vertical rails and the at least onehorizontal rail are hollow with mitered ends; and wherein the closetstorage system further comprises a plurality of corner connectors, eachsized to be received in an end of the at least one horizontal rail andan end of one of the pair of elongate vertical rails to interconnect theat least one horizontal rail to the pair of elongate vertical rails. 6.The storage system of claim 5 further comprising a plurality oflevelers, each fastened to one of the plurality of corner connectors. 7.A method for retailing a closet storage system comprising: providing afirst modular closet storage assembly with a pair of upright sidesupports, and a first plurality of horizontal cross members in a firstpackage; and providing a second modular closet storage assembly withonly one upright side support, and a second plurality of horizontalcross members in a second package.
 8. The storage system of claim 1further comprising: at least one shelf; and a pair of connectors mountedto the at least one shelf so that the at least one shelf can translaterelative to a pair of horizontal cross members of the first plurality ofhorizontal cross members and the second plurality of cross members,during installation and fasten to the pair of horizontal cross members.9. The storage assembly of claim 8 wherein a pair of channels are formedin the shelf, each sized to receive one of the pair of connectors. 10.The storage assembly of claim 9 further comprising a first pair ofretainers, each oriented in one of the pair of channels to receive andretain one of the pair of connectors.
 11. The storage assembly of claim10 further comprising a second pair of retainers, each oriented in oneof the pair of channels to receive and retain one of the pair ofconnectors.
 12. The storage assembly of claim 11 wherein the second pairof retainers are each deformable for manual release of the second pairof retainers.
 13. The storage system of claim 1 further comprising: apair of brackets connected for translation upon a pair of horizontalcross members of the first plurality of horizontal cross members and thesecond plurality of cross members, to attach the pair of brackets to theupright support surface.
 14. The storage system of claim 13 wherein thepair of brackets are connected to a rear horizontal cross member of thepair of horizontal cross members.
 15. The storage system of claim 14wherein a series of slots are formed into the rear horizontal crossmember to receive the pair of brackets at various orientations along therear horizontal cross member.
 16. The storage system of claim 15 whereineach of the pair of brackets has a widened aperture formed therethroughto receive a fastener to attach the pair of brackets to the uprightsupport surface; and wherein a width of the widened apertures incombination with a spacing of the series of slots permits alignment ofthe pair of brackets and installation of the fasteners at a majority ofa length of the rear horizontal cross member.
 17. The storage system ofclaim 13 further comprising a pair of decorative fascias, each sized tobe supported upon one of the pair of horizontal cross members to conceala front portion of the pair of horizontal cross members and the pair ofbrackets.
 18. The storage system of claim 1 further comprising: aplurality of decorative fascias, each sized to be supported upon one ofthe first plurality of horizontal cross members and the second pluralityof horizontal cross members.
 19. The storage system of claim 18 whereinthe plurality of decorative fascias are extruded from a polymericmaterial. 20-29. (canceled)
 30. A storage system comprising: a firstmodular closet storage assembly packaged separately, the first modularcloset storage assembly comprising: a pair of upright side supports tobe supported upon an underlying support surface, each comprising aplurality of upright rails, each with elongate grooves formed along alength, and a series of incrementally spaced apart slots formed withinthe grooves, and a first plurality of horizontal cross members tointerconnect the pair of upright side supports; a second modular closetstorage assembly packaged separately, the second modular closet storageassembly comprising: only one upright side support to be supported uponthe underlying support surface, comprising a plurality of upright rails,each with elongate grooves formed along a length, and a series ofincrementally spaced apart slots formed within the grooves, and a secondplurality of horizontal cross members to interconnect the only oneupright side support to at least one of the pair of upright sidesupports of the first modular closet storage assembly; a first shelfwith a first pair of channels formed therein, supported by the pair ofupright side supports and the first plurality of horizontal crossmembers; a second shelf with a second pair of channels formed therein,supported by one of the pair of upright side supports, the only oneupright side support of the second modular closet storage assembly, andthe second plurality of horizontal cross members; a first pair ofconnectors mounted to the first plurality of horizontal cross members tobe received in the first pair of channels during installation; a secondpair of connectors mounted to the second plurality of horizontal crossmembers to be received in the second pair of channels duringinstallation; a first pair of retainers, each oriented in the first pairof channels to receive and retain the first pair of connectors; a secondpair of retainers, each oriented in the second pair of channels toreceive and retain the second pair of connectors; a pair of bracketsconnected for translation upon a rear horizontal cross member of thefirst plurality of horizontal cross members or the second plurality ofhorizontal cross members, to attach the pair of brackets to an uprightsupport surface; a plurality of decorative fascias, each sized to besupported upon one of the first plurality of horizontal cross members orsecond plurality of horizontal cross members; a plurality of drawerrails, each with hooks sized to be received within the series of slotsto attach to the plurality of upright rails at various heightorientations along the plurality of upright rails; a drawer assemblyconnected the plurality of drawer rails to translate relative to theplurality of upright rails; a pair of clothing rod brackets with a pairof fastener patterns to be fastened to the plurality of horizontal crossmembers at two different locations, with a receptacle provided on adistal end of each bracket, and a post extending from within eachreceptacle; and a clothing rod sized to be received within thereceptacles of the pair of clothing rod brackets, with a groove formedlengthwise in the rod to engage the post for alignment of the clothingrod.